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Tasting NotesYou love red wines, you say, but don’t know whether to choose the Syrah or the Zinfandel? You like them both, but what to do? Or perhaps you know exactly what you like–Chardonnay, all the time! But what grapes were used and at what percentage? You are the true connoisseur and you want details. Maybe before you make a selection, you want to see which of our wines have won awards. That’s where our Tasting Notes, tips on which wines to drink and list of awards come in to play. In our Tasting Notes, Christopher Creek winemaker Chris Russi shares his thoughts, visions for the wine, awards they’ve won, grapes used and describes to a tee how they taste. He’ll even explain how they can be best paired and with what foods. For example, Syrah tastes great with meat dishes, Mediterranean delights as well as Mexican and spicy foods. Viognier goes great with shrimp, risotto and creamy foods. Your only limit is your palate and our award-winning wines. But, as owners of the winery, we have our opinions as well. We have shared our thoughts in the Wines to
Drink section below. And others have shared their
views too—read some recent print and online accolades Christopher Creek
Winery has received. So, what to serve at your upcoming dinner or event? Click on the Tasting Notes below or read Wines to Drink to help you make your decision or to just find out more about certain wines and vintages. Then, make your choice and order today.
Wines to Drink Now—Suggestions from Fred and PamTell us your experiences tasting our older vintages! Deux Barriques 1998–2003 (updated 2/20/2008)We tasted the 1998-2002 wines in 2006 and 2007. The fruit is still present, but we suggest that, as the tannins have fully softened, these vintages be drunk now, especially the 1998-2000. These wines will not benefit from any further aging.The 2003 was tasted in January 2008 and proved to be the hit of the evening. Comments ranged from one of the best wines I have ever tasted to I need to buy some now. Our Deux Barriques wines are extraordinary with just 50 cases produced. Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 1998–2003 (updated 2/20/2008)The 1998 Best of Show and multiple Gold Medal winner and the 1999-2002 Gold Medal winners should be drunk now to preserve the fruit and spicy character of the wine. Pair with Italian food and enjoy the wine. The 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 have already peaked and show some loss of fruit. The 2003 is approaching maturity and should be enjoyed in 2008. This wine will not benefit from further aging. Russian River Valley Estate Bottled Petite Sirah 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 (updated 5/20/2007)We tasted the 1993 and 1995 vintages in late 2006, and recommend drinking them now. Both are Gold Medal winners and are smooth as silk, but have peaked and will not benefit from additional bottle aging. We also tasted the Gold Medal-winning 1997 and 1998 vintages. Both have peaked and are showing fruit loss. We recommend that you drink these wines now. The 1999 and 2000 are both lovely wines with soft tannins and forward fruit, mouth feel and balance. Enjoy drinking Petite with game birds, Thanksgiving turkey, venison, lamb and tuna. Russian River Valley Estate Bottled Syrah 1993, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 (updated 2/20/2008)Our Syrahs generally age well, but each vintage has a different aging potential. To continue to enjoy the fruit (black cherry and plum), drink these wines now to complement lamb, spicy food, pork and some Asian infusion dishes. Always keep Syrah away from the sun and heat. Serve at room temperature. The 1993 Syrah has peaked and needs to be consumed now. 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002 have an abundance of fruit and good balance with soft tannins, but will not benefit from additional bottle aging. We recommend drinking these wines in 2008. The 1996, 1997 and 1998 are past their prime and may disappoint. Proper cellaring may have preserved the fruit characteristics of these wines. Syrah is very sensitive to heat. So, keep this wine at a constant temperature below 65º F. Dry Creek Valley Cabernet 1997–2001 (updated 2/20/2008)During "Older Vintage Week 2007," we tasted both these wines. They showed well with plenty of cassis and boysenberry fruit, structure and body. The tannins have softened nicely. The 1997 and 1998 should be enjoyed now. Further bottle aging will not improve these wines. If you have magnums, the maturing of the wine is slower so drinking these wines can be deferred a year or so longer. The 1999, 2000, and 2001 all have improved with aging. The tannins have softened and the fruit is yummy. The 2001 is particularly outstanding and was enjoyed with a group of friends in January 2008 who were amazed by the forward fruit, soft tannins, and balance. These wines were produced from grapes grown on the bench land at our home vineyard Dry Creek Valley. The recent vintages of these wines have been consistent Gold and Silver Medal winners and are moderately priced at $30.00 with a comparable value of $60-to-70. Catie's Corner Russian River Valley Viognier 1999–2003 (updated 2/20/2008)Viognier should be drunk young to enjoy the apricot, peach and pear fruit exhibited by this wine. Drink these wines now. Serve slightly chilled before dinner as an aperitif, with seafood, rice pudding or spicy Asian dishes. Further aging will not benefit the wine, and loss of fruity characteristics will occur. The 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002 may disappoint. All four have past their prime. The 2003 should be drunk before the end of 2008. The 2006 is exceptional. Russian River Valley Chardonnay 1996–2003 (updated 2/20/2008)The 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2003 have reached their prime. Drink now. Further aging will not improve these wines. Chardonnay is Burgundian in style and pairs well with food. Serve Chardonnay slightly chilled with seafood, before dinner or for your afternoon enjoyment. Russian River Valley Zinfandel 2001–2003 (updated 2/20/2008)The 2001, 2002, and 2003 RR Zins should be enjoyed now. Further aging will not improve these wines. We frequently get favorable comments on this wine from customers who prefer forward fruit with a moderate alcohol wine. The RR Zin is a consistent Gold and Silver Medal winner and ages well. About 30% of the wine is produce from Old Vine Zin Grapes which add structure and great mouth feel.
Recent AwardsZinfandel2004 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel
2003 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel
2002 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel
2001 Dry Creek Valley ZinfandelA few cases remaining of this highly rated wine.
2003 Russian River Valley Zinfandel
2002 Russian River Valley Zinfandel
2001 Russian River Valley ZinfandelThis wine is sold out.
2000 Russian River Valley ZinfandelThis wine is sold out.
Petite Sirah2005 Russian River Valley Estate Bottled Reserve Petite Sirah
2004 Russian River Valley Estate Bottled Reserve Petite Sirah
2003 Russian River Valley Estate Bottled Petite SirahThis wine is sold out.
2002 Russian River Valley Estate Bottled Petite Sirah
2001 Russian River Valley Estate Bottled Petite SirahThis wine is sold out.
Syrah2004 Russian River Valley Estate Bottled Reserve Syrah
2003 Russian River Valley Estate Bottled Reserve Syrah
2001 Russian River Valley Estate Bottled Reserve SyrahThis wine is sold out.
2000 Russian River Valley Estate Bottled Reserve SyrahThe wine is sold out.
2005 Russian River Valley Estate Bottled Syrah
2004 Russian River Valley Estate Bottled Syrah
2003 Russian River Valley Estate Bottled Syrah
2002 Russian River Valley Estate Bottled SyrahThe wine is sold out.
2001 Russian River Valley Estate Bottled Syrah
Cabernet2004 Finlay's Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Cabernet
2003 Finlay's Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Cabernet
2002 Finlay's Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Cabernet
2001 Dry Creek Valley CabernetThis wine is sold out.
2000 Dry Creek Valley CabernetThis wine is sold out.
Viognier2004 Catie's Corner Russian River Valley ViognierThis wine is sold out. 2003 Catie's Corner Russian River Valley ViognierThis wine is sold out.
2002 Catie's Corner Russian River Valley ViognierThis wine is sold out.
Petite Sirah Port2004 Petite Sirah Port
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